North Coast & Redwoods - Coastal California - page 552

( 888-589-1808, 707-786-4949; www.victorianvillageinn.com ; 400 Ocean Ave; r $105-225; )
The bright, sunny rooms inside this venerable, two-story former bank building (1890), are
comfortably furnished with thick carpeting, good linens and antiques.
Gingerbread Mansion HISTORIC B&B
( 707-786-4000; www.gingerbread-mansion.com ; 400 Berding St; r $175-495; )
This is the cream of dairyland elegance, an 1898 Queen Anne-Eastlake that's unsurpris-
ingly the town's most photographed building. And the inside is no less extravagant with
each room having its own unique (and complex) mix of floral wallpaper, patterned carpet-
ing, grand antique furniture and perhaps a fireplace, wall fresco, stained glass window or
Greek statue thrown in for kicks.
Eating
There is an abundance of great places to eat in Ferndale (mostly along Main St) - from pie
shops and ice cream to a butcher/deli and chocolate shop - so take this list as a starting
point only. A farmers market (400 Ocean Ave; 10:30am-2pm Sat May-Oct) has locally
grown veggies and locally produced dairy - including the freshest cheese you'll find any-
where.
Mario's Lost Coast Cafe VEGETARIAN, VEGAN
(468 Main St; sandwiches $7.25; 10am-3:30pm; )
Step into Mario's homey kitchen and be blown away. This guy mills his own flour, bakes
his own bread and is so passionate and well-versed in all things food that it's no wonder
the soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods are easily the best vegetarian choices north
of Fort Bragg. Coffee is on the house. Cash only.
No Brand Burger Stand BURGERS
(989 Milton St; burgers $7; 11am-5pm)
Hiding near the entrance to town by an industrial building, this hole-in-the-wall turns out a
juicy jalapeño double cheese burger that ranks easily as the North Coast's best burger. The